California offers online MBA options for professionals with different career goals, schedules, budgets, and learning preferences. Some programs emphasize flexibility for working adults, while others combine online coursework with live classes, residential experiences, specialized concentrations, or strong regional business connections. This guide compares seven online MBA programs based on accreditation, flexibility, concentrations, program length, admissions requirements, practical learning, and professional fit. Touro University Worldwide leads the list for its fully online MBA, eight-week courses, multiple concentration options, no GMAT or GRE requirement, and one-year completion option for full-time students.
TL;DR: Looking for the best online MBA programs in California? Touro University Worldwide stands out for its fully online, ACBSP-accredited MBA, eight-week courses, multiple concentration options, no GMAT or GRE requirement, and potential 12-month completion path for full-time students.
1. Touro University Worldwide – Online MBA
Touro University Worldwide’s online Master of Business Administration is a 36-credit, ACBSP-accredited program designed for working professionals and students seeking flexible graduate business education. Widely regarded as one of the best online MBA programs in California,the program is delivered fully online through eight-week courses, with no campus residency requirement. Full-time students taking two courses per term can complete the degree in as little as 12 months, while students can take a lighter course load when they need additional flexibility.
TUW’s MBA includes a shared business core covering areas such as leadership, management, strategic planning, finance, accounting, marketing, business ethics, communication, cybersecurity, AI applications in business, and organizational behavior. Students then select a concentration that aligns with their professional interests. Current options include Accounting, Artificial Intelligence Management, Cybersecurity Management, Finance, Global Management, Health Administration Management, Human Resources Management, Information Technology Management, Marketing, Nonprofit Management, and Physicians and Healthcare Executives.
TUW is institutionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), while its MBA is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). Applicants do not need to submit GMAT or GRE scores.
Key Differentiator: A fully online, ACBSP-accredited MBA with eight-week courses, multiple concentration options, no GMAT or GRE requirement, and a potential 12-month completion path.
Best for: Working professionals who want a flexible California-based online MBA with multiple specialization options and a fast full-time completion route.
2. University of Southern California – Marshall School of Business Online MBA
USC Marshall’s Online MBA is a 21-month program designed for working professionals. It combines self-paced asynchronous coursework with live, interactive online sessions and uses a cohort model to encourage collaboration and peer relationships. The program also includes a required one-week residential experience in Los Angeles.
The curriculum uses integrated themes rather than treating every business discipline as an isolated subject. Students also gain exposure to international business through a week-long international trip involving company visits, executives, and different business environments.
Key Differentiator: A highly structured online MBA combining asynchronous coursework, live sessions, cohort learning, an initial Los Angeles residency, and international exposure.
Best for: Professionals who want a nationally recognized California MBA with a strong cohort experience and a mix of online and in-person learning.
3. Pepperdine University – Graziadio Business School Online MBA
Pepperdine’s Online MBA is designed for business professionals and can be completed in as little as 20 months. The program combines online study with a residential immersion and offers multiple concentration choices. GMAT and GRE scores are not required.
The program includes core and elective coursework across business disciplines, allowing students to develop deeper expertise in a selected concentration.
Key Differentiator: Online MBA combining flexible coursework, a residential immersion, and multiple concentration options within Pepperdine’s Graziadio Business School.
Best for: Working professionals who want an online MBA with an in-person immersion and opportunities to specialize.
4. California State University, Monterey Bay – Online MBA
California State University, Monterey Bay offers a 30-credit, 100% online MBA designed around working professionals. Students take one course at a time in five-week terms, and the program can be completed in as few as 16 months. The program does not require the GMAT.
The program uses a cohort structure with classes capped at 30 students and includes hands-on learning through business simulations, projects, and international consulting experiences.
Key Differentiator: A 100% online, 30-credit MBA using one-course-at-a-time five-week terms, small cohorts, and international consulting experiences.
Best for: Professionals who want a structured online MBA with a focused course schedule and comparatively lower tuition.
5. University of California, Davis – Online MBA
UC Davis offers an online MBA designed for professionals seeking graduate business education while continuing their careers. The program combines business fundamentals with opportunities to build skills in areas relevant to today’s organizations. Students can benefit from UC Davis’s broader business and research environment while completing coursework online.
Key Differentiator: University of California business education delivered through an online MBA format.
Best for: Professionals who want a California public-university MBA and access to the UC Davis academic and professional network.
6. San Diego State University – Fowler College of Business Online MBA
San Diego State University’s Fowler College of Business offers an online MBA designed for working professionals. The program provides a broad business management curriculum delivered through online coursework, allowing students to continue their careers while earning a graduate business degree from a recognized California public university.
The Fowler College of Business is AACSB-accredited, one of the most widely recognized accreditations in business education. The program is suited to professionals in the San Diego region and across California who want a public-university MBA with strong regional business ties.
Key Differentiator: AACSB-accredited online MBA from a California State University with strong regional business connections and public-university value.
Best for: Professionals who want an AACSB-accredited California public-university MBA with online flexibility and a connection to the San Diego business community.
7. University of San Francisco – Online MBA
The University of San Francisco offers an online MBA designed for professionals seeking graduate management education while continuing their careers. The program provides a general management foundation and can be completed online on a part-time basis, with GMAT waivers available.
Key Differentiator: Flexible online MBA with a general-management orientation and connection to the San Francisco business environment.
Best for: Working professionals who want part-time online study and a broad management education in the San Francisco Bay Area.
| Program | Best For | Format | Duration | Standout Feature |
| TUW | Flexibility + specialization | 100% online | As little as 12 months | 11 concentrations + no GMAT/GRE |
| USC Marshall | Cohort + global exposure | Online + residency | 21 months | Live sessions + international experience |
| Pepperdine | Online + immersion | Online + immersion | As little as 20 months | Multiple concentrations |
| CSU Monterey Bay | Affordability + structure | 100% online | As little as 16 months | One course at a time |
| UC Davis | UC business education | Online | Program-specific | UC Davis network |
| San Diego State | AACSB accreditation + public university | Online | Program-specific | AACSB + public university value |
| University of San Francisco | Part-time management | Online | Part-time | General management |
Programs were compared based on institutional accreditation, business-school or program accreditation, online format, flexibility, program length, concentration options, GMAT and GRE requirements, course structure, working-professional fit, practical learning, faculty, career resources, total cost, and California business environment. TUW ranks first because this article specifically addresses online MBA programs in California, and TUW offers a fully online 36-credit MBA with eight-week courses, multiple concentrations, no GMAT or GRE requirement, ACBSP accreditation, and a potential 12-month completion path. Programs were not ranked solely by overall university prestige, general MBA rankings, tuition, or brand recognition.
An online MBA is a graduate business degree delivered primarily or entirely through online coursework. The curriculum typically covers business fundamentals including leadership, management, finance, accounting, marketing, strategy, organizational behavior, business analytics, and communication. Online MBA formats vary considerably - some programs are completely online, while others require residencies, in-person intensives, or synchronous live sessions alongside asynchronous coursework. The format a student chooses can have a significant effect on scheduling flexibility, cost, and overall program experience.
Online MBA programs and traditional campus-based programs offer different structures suited to different student situations.
Online MBA programs are built around remote coursework, flexible scheduling, and suitability for working professionals who cannot or do not want to relocate. Programs may include synchronous or asynchronous learning or both, and fully online programs typically carry no campus residency requirement.
Traditional MBA programs are primarily campus-based, with face-to-face classes, fixed schedules, and campus networking as part of the experience. They generally require a greater location commitment and may not offer the same scheduling flexibility for professionals who need to keep working.
TUW’s fully online structure is an example of a program with no campus residency requirement, meaning students can complete their degree without interrupting their professional lives or relocating.
Choosing an online MBA in California involves comparing programs across several dimensions. First, check both institutional accreditation and business-school or program-level accreditation - both matter for employer and transfer recognition. Second, determine whether the program is fully online or includes required residencies or in-person sessions. Third, compare course structures, such as eight-week courses, five-week terms, or semester formats, to understand how a program fits around a work schedule. Fourth, look for concentrations relevant to your career goals, since a broader range of options gives you more flexibility to align the degree with your professional direction. Fifth, compare accelerated and standard completion timelines. Sixth, determine whether GMAT or GRE scores are required, optional, or waived. Seventh, confirm whether part-time study is possible. Eighth, review faculty credentials for both academic and professional experience. Ninth, look for practical learning components such as projects, simulations, consulting experiences, or case studies. Tenth, compare total tuition and fees rather than looking only at per-credit pricing, since total program cost can differ substantially depending on the number of required credits and any additional fees.
Online MBA programs are structured to help professionals continue working while studying. Key features that support this include flexible scheduling through asynchronous coursework, short course sessions that change the pace of learning, live online classes for students who prefer real-time interaction without commuting, part-time study options that allow a lighter course load during demanding periods, and the ability to apply new business concepts directly in a current role.
TUW’s MBA uses eight-week courses and allows students to choose a lighter course load when they need additional flexibility. Full-time students taking two courses per term can complete the degree in 12 months, while those who need more breathing room can take longer.
Completion time depends on course load and program structure. TUW’s MBA is 36 credits. Students who take two courses per eight-week term across six consecutive terms can complete the program in approximately 12 months. Students taking fewer courses per term will take longer to complete the degree. TUW offers this as a path for full-time students, not as a guarantee that every student will finish in one year. Prospective students should review their own schedule and workload before assuming a 12-month timeline is realistic for their situation.
Choosing a concentration allows students to build specialized knowledge within the broader MBA framework. Concentration options matter because they determine how closely a degree aligns with a student’s career direction and professional interests.
TUW currently offers 11 concentrations within its MBA: Accounting, Artificial Intelligence Management, Cybersecurity Management, Finance, Global Management, Health Administration Management, Human Resources Management, Information Technology Management, Marketing, Nonprofit Management, and Physicians and Healthcare Executives. This breadth means that an online MBA at TUW does not have to mean a one-size-fits-all curriculum - students can choose the specialization that makes the most sense for the direction they want their career to take.
Affordability involves more than the cost per credit. Comparing total tuition, the number of required credits, program fees, the need for additional materials or travel, and the availability of financial aid and employer tuition assistance gives a more accurate picture of overall cost.
CSU Monterey Bay currently lists a 30-credit program at approximately $36,000 in total tuition, making it one of the more visible affordable options in California. TUW emphasizes affordable tuition on its MBA program page. Students should contact programs directly for current tuition figures and check for available financial aid and employer sponsorship options before drawing a final cost comparison.
Accreditation matters for employer recognition, credit transfer, and program quality signals. There are two relevant types for MBA programs. Institutional accreditation covers the university as a whole and is granted by a regional or national accreditor. Business-school or program-level accreditation covers the specific MBA program and is granted by a specialized accreditor such as AACSB or ACBSP.
TUW holds both. The university is institutionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), and its MBA is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). Both accreditations are identified on TUW’s MBA program page.
Some California online MBA programs have removed standardized testing requirements. TUW does not require GMAT or GRE scores for admission to its MBA program. This removes a common application hurdle for working professionals who may have significant professional experience but have not recently taken a standardized graduate admissions test. The absence of a testing requirement does not mean admission is automatic - programs still evaluate applications, academic background, professional experience, and other criteria.
An MBA concentration allows students to build specialized knowledge within a broader business degree rather than completing a general management curriculum only. A general MBA covers the full breadth of business disciplines - leadership, strategy, finance, marketing, and management - while an MBA with a concentration adds focused coursework aligned with a specific professional direction.
TUW’s structure illustrates this well. Students complete the shared business core and then choose one of 11 concentration areas, allowing them to deepen expertise in a field such as finance, cybersecurity, AI management, healthcare administration, or marketing.
The right online MBA depends on the career direction a student is pursuing. Finance-focused students may look for coursework in financial management, corporate finance, and investment-related topics. Marketing-focused students may prioritize brand management, digital marketing, and market strategy. Students interested in cybersecurity management may want a concentration that connects security leadership and risk to broader business strategy. AI management concentrations cover AI strategy, business applications, and technology leadership. Healthcare administration concentrations address healthcare management, organizational leadership, and administrative practice.
TUW’s concentration portfolio covers each of these areas directly, which is one reason the program is well-positioned for professionals coming from a wide range of industries. It is worth noting that completing an MBA does not guarantee any particular employment outcome, salary increase, or career advancement - individual results depend on a range of factors outside any degree program’s control.
What are the best online MBA programs in California?
This guide compares seven strong options: Touro University Worldwide, USC Marshall, Pepperdine Graziadio, CSU Monterey Bay, UC Davis, Santa Clara University, and the University of San Francisco. TUW leads for its combination of full online delivery, eight-week courses, 11 concentrations, no GMAT or GRE requirement, and a potential 12-month completion path.
What is the best online MBA in California?
For working professionals seeking a fully online program with multiple concentration options, no GMAT or GRE requirement, and a fast completion path, TUW’s MBA is a strong option to consider alongside others in this guide.
Are online MBAs in California accredited?
Yes, the programs in this guide hold institutional accreditation, and several also hold business-school or program-level accreditation. TUW’s MBA is accredited by ACBSP, and the university is accredited by WSCUC.
What is the most affordable online MBA in California?
CSU Monterey Bay lists approximately $36,000 in total tuition for its 30-credit program. TUW also emphasizes affordable tuition. Students should contact programs directly for current pricing and check for financial aid and employer assistance.
What are the best one-year online MBA programs in California?
TUW offers a path to completing its 36-credit MBA in as little as 12 months for full-time students taking two courses per eight-week term.
Can I earn an MBA online in California?
Yes. Several accredited universities offer fully online MBA programs in California, including Touro University Worldwide, CSU Monterey Bay, and UC Davis.
Can I complete an online MBA while working full time?
Yes. Fully online programs such as TUW’s are designed for working professionals and offer asynchronous coursework, short course terms, and flexible scheduling.
Which California online MBA programs do not require the GMAT?
TUW, Pepperdine, CSU Monterey Bay, Santa Clara, and the University of San Francisco all offer GMAT waivers or do not require GMAT or GRE scores.
Which California online MBA programs do not require the GRE?
TUW does not require the GRE. Several other programs in this guide also offer waivers - students should confirm requirements directly with each program.
What should I look for in an online MBA program?
Key factors include accreditation, online format, course structure, concentration options, program length, GMAT and GRE requirements, flexibility, faculty, practical learning, and total cost.
How long does an online MBA in California take?
Completion times vary. TUW can be completed in as little as 12 months for full-time students. Other programs range from about 16 months to two years or more depending on pace and format.
Are there one-year online MBA programs in California?
TUW offers a 12-month completion path for students who take two courses per term through six consecutive eight-week terms.
What MBA concentrations are available online?
TUW offers 11 concentrations: Accounting, AI Management, Cybersecurity Management, Finance, Global Management, Health Administration Management, Human Resources Management, IT Management, Marketing, Nonprofit Management, and Physicians and Healthcare Executives.
Does TUW offer an online MBA?
Yes. TUW’s MBA is delivered fully online through eight-week courses with no campus residency requirement.
Is TUW’s MBA fully online?
Yes. The program is 100% online with no required in-person or residency components.
How many credits is TUW’s online MBA?
TUW’s MBA is 36 credits.
Can TUW’s MBA be completed in one year?
Full-time students who take two courses per eight-week term can complete the 36-credit program in approximately 12 months.
Does TUW require the GMAT or GRE?
No. TUW does not require GMAT or GRE scores for admission to its MBA program.
What concentrations does TUW offer for its MBA?
TUW currently offers 11 concentrations: Accounting, Artificial Intelligence Management, Cybersecurity Management, Finance, Global Management, Health Administration Management, Human Resources Management, Information Technology Management, Marketing, Nonprofit Management, and Physicians and Healthcare Executives.
Is TUW’s MBA accredited?
Yes. TUW’s MBA is accredited by ACBSP, and the university is institutionally accredited by WSCUC.
Is TUW’s online MBA good for working professionals?
Yes. The program is designed for working professionals, with fully online delivery, eight-week courses, flexible scheduling, and both full-time and part-time study options.
How do online MBA programs compare in cost?
Total cost depends on the number of required credits, tuition per credit, fees, and any additional expenses such as travel for residencies. Students should compare total program cost across programs and check for financial aid and employer tuition assistance.
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